Saturday's Opponents: Man Utd, a Pre-match Assessment

Tomorrow's clash represents an intriguing match-up between two clubs for whom a managerial switch has led to fiercely contrasting fortunes despite the respective fanfare to which both appointments were greeted. Interestingly, the divisive and seen-to-be unambitious return of 'safe hands' David Moyes has so far been transformational for the Merseysiders. Conversely, the hullabaloo that ensued over the perceived 'Second Coming of the Special One' has quickly diminished into a damp squib with the Manchester outfit already in the territory of having their worst campaign since the Premier League era began.

David Moyes's Everton go into tomorrow's game riding on the crest of a wave. Four wins and a draw in the Scot's first six games have all but secured a worry-free end to a season for the first time in 3 years. The only blemish coming against Aston Villa when he had barely set foot in Finch Farm, thereby having limited time to work with the players.

With no breaking news to be gleaned from Friday's Press Conference, Moyes has just confirmed that Everton have neither any new injuries nor returnees from the squad that beat Palace. This, I would hope, suggests that Abdoulaye Doucoure, returning from suspension, will only find his way onto the bench. His replacement, Charly Alcaraz had a performance to remember against Palace but had looked like a fish out of water when given a brief cameo out wide previously. The manager's vocal disappointment with the manner of the Malian's enforced absence may also have a bearing on whether he will merit a recall.

The visitors for their part are at the other end of the spectrum with the eagerly anticipated appointment of the Portuguese phenomenon Ruben Amorim so far overseeing a poor return in his first 14 games, with the Manchester giants only coming up trumps on four occasions with eight defeats to boot. Amorim wanted to take over in the summer in order to have the necessary time for them to adapt to his infamous system and to acquire the required personnel in order for it to prosper. The lure of Manchester United forced the managerial prodigy to accept the 'now or never' ultimatum from Ineos, a decision so far proving catastrophic — only five teams accruing fewer points than Man Utd since the day he walked through the doors of Carrington.

Moreover, the Mancs have problems all over the park. Defensively, they have been poor, especially at set pieces, In midfield, they are unbalanced with the two-man midfield requiring athletes which they don't possess to a sufficient quality while up front they are barren with none of Hojlund, Zirkzee or Garnacho scoring more than 3 league goals this season. Indeed their top marksman, Amad Diallo, has only managed 6 and he will be missing, out injured for the remainder of the campaign, so it will once again be left to Fernandes to provide their chief threat.

The defeat at Spurs encapsulated this toxic combination to a tee. A goal from Maddison coming when the entire Man Utd backline were asleep and static, open goals missed when Garnacho finished like he was in the Six Nations and centrally saw Casimeiro and Fernandes, their only fit midfield partnership, getting overrun and pulled apart at will. Evertonians have vivid memories of a veteran Brazilian enforcer; running on treacle, turning like a JCB, appearing five minutes late to every tackle and letting the attacking midfielder stroll unchecked straight to the heart of our rearguard. Now that this particular Brazilian is in red, there is a clear chance for Moyes's men to profit from this undoubted vulnerability.

Today's press conference, however, gave Manchester Utd hope with Ugarte available after illness, although Amorim didn't confirm whether he had recovered sufficiently to start. Yoro and Eriksen also return to boost a squad that only had one first teamer available on the bench last time out. The awkward feel of Amorim's Presser was more akin to that experienced under Dyche and was night and day with the relaxed nature of his opponent.

Even the bookies have Everton as slight favourites going into this match with form and momentum clearly favouring the Toffees. Not only is it a good time to play Man Utd but rarely has the Blue fanbase approached this game with such anticipation and belief for a positive outcome. Early glimpses of their spanking new stadium this week will only have further whetted the appetite for this fixture. 

Despite the aforementioned, it must be stated that United traditionally have enjoyed coming to Goodison Park. Not since the days of Roberto Martinez have Everton regularly taken their scalp. In the last 10 league meetings here, only Marco Silva's 4-0 thumping and a Frank Lampard tight 1-0 victory are the sole occasions we have got the better of the Red Devils. David Moyes himself has only three wins at home in the Premier League against Saturday's opponents for the Blues, but he must surely fancy his chances of adding a fourth tomorrow.

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